New York City demands better flood protection planning

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers proposed a plan to build a series of storm surge barriers to protect against flooding during serious storms. However, the plan fails to adequately engage communities impacted by construction, does not address all types of flooding, and does not incorporate enough nature-based solutions.

Send a public comment to the Army Corps of Engineers before March 31 demanding a comprehensive flood protection plan that is community-driven and ecologically sound.

Worker inspecting a flooded subway tunnel.

Patrick Chashin/MTA

Climate change is causing more frequent floods that are increasingly dangerous in New York City. We must act to protect residents – and must include those most at risk in the decisionmaking process.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers proposed a plan to build a series of storm surge barriers to protect against coastal flooding during serious storms. However, the plan fails to adequately engage communities impacted by construction, does not address all types of flooding, and does not incorporate enough nature-based solutions.

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Your Message

Subject New York City demands better flood protection planning

Dear Bryce W. Wisemiller, Project Manager, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,

Message Body

I am writing to express my concerns about the New York-New Jersey Harbor and Tributaries Study Draft Integrated Feasibility and Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement (the "Draft EIS") recently released by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

While flooding caused by climate change in New York City and coastal parts of New Jersey needs a solution, the Corps' plan to build 12 moveable storm surge barriers fails to provide a comprehensive flood protection plan that is community-driven and ecologically sound.

I urge you to create a stronger plan by:

1. Reshaping the community engagement process to have more meaningful public input and to create a Community and Environmental Justice Working Group so that impacted communities have a seat at the table. Furthermore, the plan must address the impact of accumulation of sewage and toxins as well as flooding induced by the barriers on the surrounding communities.

2. Crafting a comprehensive approach to protect communities from all types of flooding, including rising groundwaters, tidal flooding, and flooding caused by normal precipitation. Additionally, the Corps must examine how the storm surge barriers will be affected by rising sea levels to avoid obsolescence.

3. Incorporating specific and detailed plans for nature-based solutions to climate adaptation to help address the root cause of flooding: Climate change. In 2016, Congress made nature-based features a planning requirement that the Corps must consider; however, this plan says "the details of nonstructural and [natural and nature-based features] are conceptual and not presented in detail."

There is no doubt we need to adapt to a changing climate, but a proposal of this magnitude must be undertaken with great care and consideration for the communities it will most impact and must take a comprehensive approach to flood planning.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

[First Name] [Last Name]

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